Rattler, These are pre rut Muley's. I bone the meat and chill it down. That high country gets cold at night, the meat will partly frozen by morning, when left in the open on a sheet of plastic.
Then it goes in a cooler. Yes pre rut Mule Deer are very good eating.
Joe, I have had great adventures in both MT & WY hunts.
I will share the hunts. Back in the 80's I wrote for Fur Fish and Game Magazine. Gave it up, to much time and not enough money.
Boss Lady says, time to do some writing again. So I'm working on it. Enjoyed the writing and and now have more time.